Shipyard Old Port Half Marathon

When something bad happens you have three choices. You can let it define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you.”I ran this race with my boyfriend, brother, and mom. It was a fun-filled family affair. But man what a beautiful race. I could have done without the heat and humidity, but the views were spectacular. The race took place in downtown Portland. Right, next to the docks so you can smell the lobsters cooking along with the sewage and water treatment plants.The course takes you down the main road for 2 miles then heads up towards the ramp that takes you to the highway towards the airport. Instead, we took a right and started the steep upward climb for the next mile. This course was a mixture of everything. Rollers, flats and steep inclines. It became so steep that it was easier and faster to walk it at times.

The steep climbs ended with beautiful spectacular views of the bay and ocean. This scenic race couldn’t be more incredible and beautiful. You could smell the crisp clean air with the taste of lobsters. I Have been wanting to run this race since last year when I heard it was sponsored by the shipyard and as promised you got two free beers at the end if you were of age.The first part of the race had a couple of aid stations, but once you hit mile 7 you didn’t get another one until mile 11 and that was when the heat was at its worst. Plus they were running out of cups and water, so they could have planned much better. There was also no GU and not a lot of Gatorade or they ran out as the Gatorade began to taste watered down.

The medals were cool and shaped as a sailboat. They also gave out race day water bottles instead of plastic ones that you throw away. These ones you could refill. The food provided was also very good and yummy. I didn’t run as fast as I wanted to but its okay. I’m doing the Boston half in October and that will be a better time hopefully.Perks: The medal, beautiful course, location, after party with a beer tent and two free beers, water bottle, food.

Ehh Not a fan…: The hills, lack of aid stations, ran out of water and GatoradeGrade: B+